[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "in%20the%20US%2C%20where%20vote%20tabulators%20are%20used%20to%20scan%20and%20count%20paper%20ballots%20after%20voters%20have%20voted%2C%20is%20there%20a%20practice%20or%20requirement%20of%20auditing%20some%20of%20the%20tabulator%20counts%20to%20spot%20check%20to%20see%20if%20they%20are%20accurately%20counting%20the%20ballots%2C%20even%20if%20a%20recount%20is%20not%20ordered%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Yes \u2014 in the United States, using scanned/tabulated paper ballots (\u201coptical scan\u201d systems), it's common (and in every state now required) to perform post-election audits. These audits sample ballots or precincts to check whether the tabulator counts were accurate, even when no full recount is ordered. The laws and practices vary by state, but here\u2019s how it generally works, with examples:\n\n---\n\n## What a post-election audit is\n\n- A **post-election tabulation audit** (or simply \u201caudit\u201d) is distinct from a recount. Instead of completely re-counting all ballots in a given contest (which a recount does), an audit samples a portion of ballots or precincts to verify that the reported outcome matches what a manual hand count of those samples would show, especially comparing paper ballots to what voting machines/tabulators recorded. ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n- There are several types of audits in use:  \n  1. **Traditional audits**, which usually require examining a fixed percentage or number of precincts, machines or ballots regardless of the margin of victory. ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n  2. **Risk-limiting audits (RLAs)**, where the sample size depends on factors like margin of victory, with a built-in statistical guarantee that if the machine count is wrong in a way that changes who wins, the audit has a high probability of detecting it. ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/risk-limiting-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Legal status in states\n\n- As of April 2026, **every U.S. state requires some form of post-election audit of tabulations or vote counting equipment.** ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/resources/details/every-state-has-now-enacted-a-post-election-audit-law?utm_source=openai))  \n- Of these:  \n  - Most states (around 36 plus Washington D.C.) have **traditional audits** specified by law. ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n  - Seven states have **statutory requirements** for risk-limiting audits: Georgia, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Virginia. ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Common audit practices / requirements\n\nHere are examples illustrating how several states require audits to spot-check tabulator counts:\n\n| State or Jurisdiction | What sample or percentage is audited | What kind of audit | How it works* |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| **Illinois** | Randomly audit 5% of precincts in each jurisdiction, also 5% of early voting machines. ([verifiedvoting.org](https://verifiedvoting.org/auditlaw/illinois/?utm_source=openai)) | Traditional audit / \u201cmachine retabulation\u201d sample | The audit is done before certification; results are compared machine vs sampled manual counts; if issues are found, errors must be investigated and corrected. ([verifiedvoting.org](https://verifiedvoting.org/auditlaw/illinois/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **New York** | Random selection of ~3% of machines (or precincts). ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai)) | Traditional audit (but allows \u201cmachine-assisted audit tools\u201d) | NY law requires manual (or approved machine-assisted) count of ballots in the sample and comparison to the tabulator results; discrepancies found beyond thresholds may lead to expanded audit. ([law.cornell.edu](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/9-NYCRR-6210.20?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Montana** | Random sample of voting machines/precincts; manual count compared to machine count. ([electionlab.mit.edu](https://electionlab.mit.edu/research/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai)) | Traditional audit | Must be done before the county canvass; public notice required; if discrepancy exceeds state-defined threshold, audit expanded. ([nass.org](https://www.nass.org/sites/default/files/reports/nass-summary-audit-laws-sept21.pdf?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Washington State** | RLAs for state and county races/measures. ([regulations.justia.com](https://regulations.justia.com/states/washington/title-434/chapter-434-261/post-election-day-risk-limiting-audits/?utm_source=openai)) | Risk-limiting audit | The audit is codified in regulations; it requires that discrepancies lead to expansion or full count per the risk-limit rules. ([regulations.justia.com](https://regulations.justia.com/states/washington/title-434/chapter-434-261/post-election-day-risk-limiting-audits/?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n\\* \u201cSample\u201d means a portion of ballots, precincts, or machines chosen randomly to get statistical confidence or at least to check accuracy.\n\n---\n\n## Purposes and thresholds\n\n- Audits are primarily about verifying the **accuracy of tabulator counts**, including whether the machines are properly interpreting valid votes (including voter intent where marks are ambiguous). They help detect software bugs, human mistakes, or fraud. ([electionlab.mit.edu](https://electionlab.mit.edu/research/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n- If discrepancies in the sampled audits exceed certain thresholds (often defined by law or regulation), there may be requirements to investigate, expand the audit, or even conduct a full manual recount. But this escalation is not automatic in all cases; it depends on state law. ([electionlab.mit.edu](https://electionlab.mit.edu/research/post-election-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Limitations / variations\n\n- States differ in what percentage is audited: many traditional audits use **1\u20135% of precincts or machines**. ([eac.gov](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/Post_Election_Tabulation_Audit_Guide_508.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n- What is audited can vary. Some states only audit certain contests (like federal, state, or statewide races), not every race on the ballot. Some audits only look at precinct\u2010level aggregated results; others check individual ballots or cast vote records (CVRs). ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/risk-limiting-audits?utm_source=openai))  \n- Some audits use machine tools (\u201cmachine-assisted audits\u201d) to rescan ballots with software independent of the voting system. Then selected ballots are manually checked to verify that they match what the machine recorded. ([law.cornell.edu](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/9-NYCRR-6210.20?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Conclusion: Yes, it\u2019s a common and indeed required practice\n\nIn summary:\n\n- There *is* widespread legal requirement to audit tabulator counts via sampling in every U.S. state. ([ncsl.org](https://www.ncsl.org/resources/details/every-state-has-now-enacted-a-post-election-audit-law?utm_source=openai))  \n- Audits are separate from recounts \u2014 they provide a \u201cspot\u2010check\u201d by comparing paper ballots (or voter-verifiable records) to the tabulator\u2019s machine count.  \n- Many states use traditional audits with fixed sampling; several use risk-limiting audits which adapt sample size based on outcome margin.\n\nIf you want, I can pull up how your specific state handles this (percentage, timelines, etc.)."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "what%20barbecue%20restaurants%20are%20there%20in%20Toironto%20on%20yonge%20street%20near%20elginton%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are some barbecue or grill-style restaurants around Yonge & Eglinton in Toronto. Depending on how loosely you define \u201cbarbecue\u201d (smoked, steakhouse, churrasco, etc.), these are solid options:\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd25 Top BBQ/Grill Spots Near Yonge & Eglinton\n\n| Name | Address / How Close | What They Offer | What to Know |\n|------|----------------------|------------------|---------------|\n| **Benny\u2019s Barbecue** | 2409 Yonge St, Unit 106 (just north of Eglinton) ([restaurantguru.com](https://restaurantguru.com/Bennys-Barbecue-Toronto?utm_source=openai)) | Texas-style BBQ \u2014 smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, burnt ends, classic sides like mac & cheese, coleslaw, etc. ([dailyhive.com](https://dailyhive.com/toronto/bbq-texas-style-toronto-bennys-barbecue?utm_source=openai)) | Casual counter service; popular enough that meats & sides often sell out later in the day. ([corner.inc](https://www.corner.inc/place/313666?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Cowboys Grill** | 1993 Yonge St (Yonge & Eglinton) ([cowboysgrill.ca](https://www.cowboysgrill.ca/?utm_source=openai)) | Texas-style Barbecue + a broader grill menu (plus some non-BBQ items) ([opentable.com](https://www.opentable.com/r/cowboys-grill-toronto-2?utm_source=openai)) | Slightly more upscale in ambiance, good for groups or a nicer dinner; decent range of menu items including dessert. ([opentable.com](https://www.opentable.com/r/cowboys-grill-toronto-2?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse - Eglinton** | 150 Eglinton Ave E, Unit 105 (just off Yonge & Eglinton) ([concerthotels.com](https://www.concerthotels.com/restaurant/copacabana-brazilian-steakhouse-eglinton/68574?utm_source=openai)) | Rodizio-style churrasco: all-you-can-eat skewers of grilled meats (beef, chicken, pork, lamb) plus buffet and salad bar. ([concerthotels.com](https://www.concerthotels.com/restaurant/copacabana-brazilian-steakhouse-eglinton/68574?utm_source=openai)) | More of a steakhouse/churrascaria than strict \u201cBBQ,\u201d and great if you want a lively atmosphere or priced-per-person feast. ([concerthotels.com](https://www.concerthotels.com/restaurant/copacabana-brazilian-steakhouse-eglinton/68574?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me how far you're willing to go (walking distance? a few subway stops?), I can find *all* the BBQ joints in that radius for you."
    }
]